From Tragedy To Triumph: The Alicia Project Interview

For those of you who have never heard of Alicia Kozakiewicz, it’s one of the more inspiring human interest stories you’ll ever hear. What she’s had to endure serves as a symbol to the kind of adversity we as people can overcome.

In 2002, Alicia was the victim of an Internet luring. She was abducted and held captive for a period of time. Then, following a miraculous rescue by the FBI, Alicia returned to school and graduated with high honors. During this time, she came to realize that other children need not suffer her traumatic experience, and so she founded “The Alicia Project.”

She and her mission have been on the Oprah Winfrey Show, with Dr. Phil, on Fox & Friends, Good Morning America and many more. Internationally she’s been in publications including People and Cosmopolitan. Alicia has also co-authored, “You’re Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment,” a survival guide for returning abductees.

In 2008, she testified before Congress and lobbied successfully for the Protect Our Children Act of 2008 and Alicia’s Law. Alicia’s Law has passed in Virginia and Texas and she has dedicated herself to seeing the initiative passed in all fifty states.

In recognition of her efforts, Alicia has won the 2009 Jefferson Award and the 2007 Courage Award from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

With her BA in Psychology, Alicia is continuing her mission and hoping to one day earn the title of Special Agent in the FBI. Presently, she is engaged by the FBI to train the National Academy as part of the “Youth Violence: Victims and Perpetrators” program. “I’d like,” she says “to ultimately become the person who rescues the child, and then helps to recover that child’s soul.”

Melissa from Pittsburgh’s CW Green Team had a chance to sit down and chat with the President and Founder of The Alicia Project.